The next great Hollywood star may be hiding in plain sight, in a local elementary school.

Casting director Richard Hicks is seeking a young boy, somewhere between the ages of eight and 12, to play the lead in a new feature film, and he thinks the young talent may be discovered in Antigo.

“All avenues are being explored,” Hicks, who has cast such major motion pictures as “Gravity,” “Hairspray” and “Zero Dark Thirty,” said. “We’re reaching out to different communities for different parts and doing some real people casting.”

The boy must be husky, weighing at least 150 pounds, for his role in what Hicks called “a beautiful, sensitive story” about a father and son reuniting.

According to Hannah Lee, an assistant to the casting director, the idea to seek out the young lead in Antigo, and similar communities, came about due to the nature of the part, and the need for a plus-sized boy.

“This search is quite special, because we have the opportunity to find a diamond in the rough to play the leading role. He doesn’t need to be a professional actor at all,” Lee said. “And because of his size, he’s the kind of kid you don’t see a lot of in movies and we want to change that.”

Lee’s cousin, Michelle Purdun, is a graduate of Antigo High School now attending the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, and she suggested the call go out to Antigo.

“Michelle mentioned that Antigo probably has a few kids who might fit the role,” Lee said. “Our lead, ‘Will,” is just a sweet, quiet shy kid. But he’s also coping with childhood obesity, bullying and divorce, issues that affect so many children today.”

'Weightless' is a feature film which will shoot in New York or Pennsylvania this summer. It will star Nick Nolte (48 Hours’ ‘Cape Fear’) and Jason Clarke (‘Zero Dark Thirty’).

The film is about a father (Jason Clarke) whose quiet life gets thrown upside down when he answers a call to take care of his son Will, who’s affected by childhood obesity, after Will’s mother goes missing.

Hicks stressed that professional acting credentials are not needed.

“We’re here to make people feel reassured and guide them through the experience,” Hicks said. “We need someone who can listen to directions and be authentic.”

Hicks said potential actors should send a recent photo to WeightlessAudition@gmail.com and include name, age, current city and state, along with the name, e-mail and telephone of a parent/guardian.

More information is available on the film’s website, www.weightessaudition.com.

Lee said that applications will continue to be accepted for the next month, but the sooner the better. Filming will begin in August.

The banner for the movie “Weightless,” which may discover its young lead actor in Langlade County.

Stout lad needed for feature film, casting director looks here

The next great Hollywood star may be hiding in plain sight, in a local elementary school.

Casting director Richard Hicks is seeking a young boy, somewhere between the ages of eight and 12, to play the lead in a new feature film, and he thinks the young talent may be discovered in Antigo.

“All avenues are being explored,” Hicks, who has cast such major motion pictures as “Gravity,” “Hairspray” and “Zero Dark Thirty,” said. “We’re reaching out to different communities for different parts and doing some real people casting.”

The boy must be husky, weighing at least 150 pounds, for his role in what Hicks called “a beautiful, sensitive story” about a father and son reuniting.

According to Hannah Lee, an assistant to the casting director, the idea to seek out the young lead in Antigo, and similar communities, came about due to the nature of the part, and the need for a plus-sized boy.

“This search is quite special, because we have the opportunity to find a diamond in the rough to play the leading role. He doesn’t need to be a professional actor at all,” Lee said. “And because of his size, he’s the kind of kid you don’t see a lot of in movies and we want to change that.”

Lee’s cousin, Michelle Purdun, is a graduate of Antigo High School now attending the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, and she suggested the call go out to Antigo.

“Michelle mentioned that Antigo probably has a few kids who might fit the role,” Lee said. “Our lead, ‘Will,” is just a sweet, quiet shy kid. But he’s also coping with childhood obesity, bullying and divorce, issues that affect so many children today.”

'Weightless' is a feature film which will shoot in New York or Pennsylvania this summer. It will star Nick Nolte (48 Hours’ ‘Cape Fear’) and Jason Clarke (‘Zero Dark Thirty’).

The film is about a father (Jason Clarke) whose quiet life gets thrown upside down when he answers a call to take care of his son Will, who’s affected by childhood obesity, after Will’s mother goes missing.

Hicks stressed that professional acting credentials are not needed.

“We’re here to make people feel reassured and guide them through the experience,” Hicks said. “We need someone who can listen to directions and be authentic.”

Hicks said potential actors should send a recent photo to WeightlessAudition@gmail.com and include name, age, current city and state, along with the name, e-mail and telephone of a parent/guardian.

More information is available on the film’s website, www.weightessaudition.com.

Lee said that applications will continue to be accepted for the next month, but the sooner the better. Filming will begin in August.

The banner for the movie “Weightless,” which may discover its young lead actor in Langlade County.